Center of Arcata Plaza to be cordoned off on New Year's Eve

The Arcata Police Department announced that it plans to section off the center of the Arcata Plaza on New Year's Eve to prevent the type of destruction that took place on Halloween.

People can still gather at the Plaza but are expected to act responsibly and not engage in disruptive or illegal conduct, according to an APD release. Officials said acts such as graffiti vandalism, public urination, indecent exposure and the illegal climbing of the McKinley statue will not be tolerated. Additional law enforcement officials will be working.

Entry into the center area will be prohibited, and the consumption of alcohol and the possession of glass containers on the Plaza will result in citation or arrest. Discharging of fireworks in or near a crowd of people is a felony offense and will result in immediate arrest, officials said.

APD said in the release that it encourages people to drink responsibly and use a designated driver.